I still have the newspaper article that a friend gave me. It’s dated May 2, 2002, and the headline is “Master Gardener Program Flourishes in the Tri-Valley.”

I had never heard about Master Gardeners until I read this interview with Gaetene Courchesne. Although the article was mostly about her and her interest in gardening, she encouraged “anyone with an interest in regional horticulture to become a Master Gardener.” I called the listed phone number immediately. I was told that, because of a lack of funding, after the current class, there might not be another.

As it turned out, I had to wait until I retired from teaching sixth grade in Livermore before I could join the program.

The classes met once a week for 16 weeks, with experts from the University of California or other established programs presenting a series of lectures and handouts on all aspects of horticulture. At the end, I had to pass a final exam, then complete a 60-hour volunteer internship over the next year to earn final Master Gardener credentials.

After the internship, Master Gardeners must complete at least 25 hours of volunteer activity plus 12 hours of continuing education each year to maintain active status. It’s easy to meet these requirements as there are a wide range of potential volunteer programs from plant doctor booths at farmers markets or fairs to school gardens, to participation in various environmental projects. Each person chooses his or her activities according to interest.

What I enjoy most about being a Master Gardener is the opportunity to share my love and knowledge of gardening with other passionate gardeners. It’s easy to do that when frustrated gardeners visit our plant doctor booths at the local farmers markets or the Alameda County Fair.

It’s a pleasure to see someone’s relief when he or she receives information from the University of California or is provided with important resources to solve problems.

Sharing enthusiasm about plants and gardening methods is another reason I love being a Master Gardener. But perhaps the most satisfaction I have received from the Master Gardener Program is helping to take the Demonstration Garden at the Martinelli Center in Livermore from a frustrating huge ramble of weedy grasses to five types of beautifully organized and planted gardens.

Sharing the vision of what the garden should be and the endless hours of work has created some great friendships. The Demonstration Garden on Greenville Road is open and information on a series of classes to be held there will be available in a later column.

Alameda County Master Gardeners is again offering training for future Master Gardeners. It will begin on Jan. 16, 2008, and will be held at the University of California Cooperative Extension on Bay Farm Island in Alameda.

Pick up an application at the Master Gardener information table at your local farmers markets or phone the coordinator, Kathy Hofmann at 510-567-6812. Applications and more information will also be available online at http://www.acmg.ucdavis.edu by Sept. 1. Applicants will be interviewed at information sessions to be held in East and West County in September and October.

Maybe it takes one of the world's most elitist institutions -- a monarchy, for goodness' sake -- to provide a view of Christianity rooted not in conservative cultural warfare (or unrelenting support for Donald Trump) but in an egalitarian love.